APOPKA, Fla. – In a bustling classroom filled with the laughter and curiosity of preschoolers, something extraordinary is happening.
These young children, some as young as 3 and 4 years old, are learning the profound impact of kindness, sharing, and philanthropy. Guided by their passionate teachers at The Learning Experience in Apopka, this lesson is more than just a story hour-it’s a pint-sized masterclass in compassion and community-building.
The day’s activities center on two themes: understanding philanthropy and practicing kindness.
A teacher begins by reading “Philanthropy with Grace and Charity,” a storybook that introduces the concept of giving back in simple, relatable terms that little learners can understand. Grace and Charity, the book’s main characters, model acts of kindness such as donating canned goods to local shelters, sending thank-you notes, and sharing toys with less fortunate children.
As the teacher reads an excerpt, she begins by spelling out the word “philanthropy” and acknowledges that it’s a pretty big word. But she breaks it down into pint-sized actions, showing how small gestures — like saying “please” or donating gently used clothes — can make a big difference.
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After the reading, the children eagerly raise their hands to share their ideas on how they can be kind and generous. Some suggest donating toys, while others talk about helping their parents at home by cleaning or setting the table.
When asked if these lessons resonate with such young students, teacher Mikayla Williams confidently said, “I wouldn’t say they’re too young. They start learning as babies-everything is repetition. They come to school each day and learn something new.”
Repetition is a vital part of every class. Here, students write thank-you cards, read books, and use toys to bring kindness to life. Williams highlights that one of the benefits of starting these lessons early is that they can stay with the children for a lifetime. She also uses a “kindness board” with pictures and quotes to show how these 4- and 5-year-olds learn from each other and inspire others to be helpful.
Kindness is always part of the curriculum, and that’s exactly how Diana Pankivska, the curriculum specialist at The Learning Experience, wants it.
“The sooner you start, the better,” Pankivska said. “Kids are like sponges; they absorb everything. We see it in classrooms all the time.”
She explained that students often open doors for their teachers, hug their friends, and offer words of encouragement when someone is upset. When asked if these acts extend beyond the classroom, Pankivska is confident they do. Her own son, a student at The Learning Experience, often offers to help her with chores at home.
The preschool years are a critical time for social-emotional learning. Young children are naturally empathetic, but they need guidance to channel those instincts into meaningful actions. Through structured lessons, they learn that their actions have a tangible impact.
At The Learning Experience, diversity and inclusion are also key elements of the curriculum. Students learn about these concepts using toys that reflect different abilities to teach empathy and acceptance.
“We’re very intentional with the toys and books we buy,” explained Vickianna Acosta, the Executive Director at The Learning Experience. “You’ll see toys with kids using crutches or in wheelchairs, so when our students see them outside, they know to show kindness and to help.”
Our final stop of the day was a conversation with a couple of students who eagerly shared what they’ve learned about sharing.
Four-year-old Kross proudly said he knows sharing is caring, often offering to share his PlayStation with friends. Five-year-old Elias loves holding the door open for his teachers because their gratitude makes him feel happy.
When asked for advice on how to handle my co-anchor, Matt Austin, when he’s not being nice, Elias didn’t miss a beat. Pointing a finger at the camera, he declared, “Matt, don’t be mean to Ginger.”
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